First Presidential Candidates' Debate, Monday, September 26, 2016


The first debate between presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump is being held on Monday, September 26, 2016 at Hofstra University in New York. Predictions for viewership were that this could be the most viewed presidential debate in history- estimating upwards of 100 million people tuning in. With both candidates about tied in the polls nationally, and races tightening in almost all states, the stakes couldn't be higher. At this first debate, each will have tried to establish themselves as being the most presidential- with the best plans for the future of the country.

Here is the format for the first debate:

"The first debate will be divided into six time segments of approximately 15 minutes each on major topics to be selected by the moderator and announced at least one week before the debate. The moderator will open each segment with a question, after which each candidate will have two minutes to respond. Candidates will then have an opportunity to respond to each other. The moderator will use the balance of the time in the segment for a deeper discussion of the topic." The moderator is Lester Holt who is the anchor of NBC Nightly News.

Social media will start weighing in even as the debate is in progress, and the media will analyze the results all the way up until the next debate which is scheduled for Sunday, October 9th at Washington University in St. Louis. The third and final debate is scheduled for Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. Vice-Presidential candidates are scheduled to debate on Tuesday, October 4, at Longwood University in Virginia. Here is a link to more information about the 2016 Presidential and Vice-Presidential Debates.

Here is a link to videos of the debate presented by C-SPAN First Presidential Debate (There are also clips indexed to the different topics)

  • So if you watched some or all of the debate- or caught highlights afterwards, what did you think?
  • Who won?
  • Who seemed most presidential?
  • Which issues were discussed that you were most interested in, and which candidate did you most agree with?
  • Do you think the questioning was fair to both candidates- or biased in favor of one or the other?
  • What were the best lines of the night?
  • If there were breaks for advertising and any political ads for either candidate, what did you think of them?
  • Where you impressed by, or disappointed in either candidate compared to your pre-debate opinion and expectations?
  • What did you think of the format of the debate? What do you hope to see and hear in the next two debates?
  • Have you finalized your voting decision? (For our 8th grade mock election) or are you still undecided?

You can post about any of the above questions, or start your own topic thread.

Please, be respectful of both candidates and each other in your posts and replies. This Discussion Board is only for intelligent, informed, civil discussion where different opinions are welcome as long as they are respectful and supported by facts. If ever you see a comment that you are uncomfortable with, please let us know. Email your Social Studies teacher for the fastest response.

This discussion will run through Sunday, October 2nd.